PGA Tour signs up to Coalition for Responsible Sports Betting Advertising
Golf’s most prestigious tour joins forces with other major US sporting organizations as it commits to responsible advertising guidelines
The PGA Tour has partnered with the Coalition for Responsible Sports Betting Advertising, with the golf body committing further to marketing sports betting more responsibly.
The Tour also renewed its membership of the leadership circle of the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG), joining other leading sports organizations in the process.
Sports broadcaster FOX and the National Football League (NFL) set up the Coalition for Responsible Sports Betting Advertising last year with the aim to implement joint guidelines that govern the marketing of sports betting.
The voluntary association is made up of sports leagues and media entities including the NBA, MLB, NHL, NASCAR, MLS, the WNBA, and sports network NBC Sports, that are committed to playing their part in helping to ensure a responsible approach to sports betting advertising.
To achieve their goals, the coalition has pledged to implement six principles.
The first principle is that only adults of legal betting age can be targeted with betting advertisements, and secondly, that adverts should never promote irresponsible or excessive gambling and cannot degrade the consumer experience.
Third, the coalition is committed to ensuring that betting advertisements aren’t misleading and fourthly, that they are always in good taste.
The last two principles are that publishers hold appropriate internal reviews of their marketing campaigns and, lastly, they review all consumer complaints relating to sports betting advertising.
Scott Warfield, PGA Tour VP of gaming, said: “With the proliferation of sports betting in the United States, the PGA Tour remains committed to establishing a safe and healthy marketplace for consumers.
“The Tour is proud to stand alongside its fellow sports leagues and network partners on the coalition, as well as with our colleagues at NCPG, in our continued mission to educate fans on the merits of gambling responsibly and the resources available to address problem gambling issues.”
In a joint statement, the Coalition for Responsible Sports Betting Advertising added: “As the legalization of sports betting spreads nationwide, we feel it is critical to establish guardrails around how sports betting should be advertised to consumers across the United States.”
“Each member of the coalition feels a responsibility to ensure sports betting advertising is not only targeted to an appropriate audience but also that the message is thoughtfully crafted and carefully delivered.”